SOA lift advice!

[Posi]

I just did a SOA and would recommend not to do it on your short WB CJ5 with 33" tires. If you wanted to go SOA on a 6,7,8, or stretch your 5 I'd say go ahead, but on a short WB I feel there is less gained and more lost for the work involved.

2.5 33" is a great combo on any short WB 5, just my 2c

 

[tarry99]

Spring over axle (SOA) is a quick way to get a 4 inch plus lift............BUT.... with that said in order for that to perform properly one must as others have mentioned address the need for Steering correction in the front and axle wrap in the rear...........with 33 inch tires and in fact up to 35's or even 36 inch tires none of that is really necessary..........with a combination of things like spring lift, body lift and bump stops a Spring under will perform quite nicely.

But probably the most important point missed here is the increase in the height of the Center of Gravity or Roll center.......this alone makes a short wheelbase vehicle both on and off the road extremely sensitive to handling.

If you like your 33 inch tires stay spring under.

 

[Petescj]

But probably the most important point missed here is the increase in the height of the Center of Gravity or Roll center

Post #2

 

[Old Dog]

I just did a SOA and would recommend not to do it on your short WB CJ5 with 33" tires. If you wanted to go SOA on a 6,7,8, or stretch your 5 I'd say go ahead, but on a short WB I feel there is less gained and more lost for the work involved.

2.5 33" is a great combo on any short WB 5, just my 2c

I missed he had a 5

 

[Gclyne]

My Cj already has a 4" lift and I clear the 33s fone. The reason behind the SOA is it seems to be better in the long run. Most factory cars today have SOA, it is supposed be easier on the car. The SOA lift kit that I'm looking at is 6 1/5 inches. No body lift

Sure there is going to be modifications when switching from a SUA to a SOA. But like any other mod on a jeep that is different from stock there will need to be adjustment. When the SOA is done properly in can be to a great advantage.

And the whole issue on the cj5s wheelbase is a little over exaggerated. The wheelbase on the 5 compared to the 7 is only 10inches. In some ways that gives the 5 more mobility and agility on the trails. I can go some places that my longer wheelbase buddies can't. And when you on a 10ft wide trail it comes in handy

.......but wait since you have a shorter wheelbase that means your definitely going to flip it right........ No. If you wheel smart and saftley you will never flip your jeep, yes I do have a full cage on my CJ5 but it's for my peace of mind.

I love my little cj

 

[Posi]

Most factory cars today have SOA, it is supposed be easier on the car.

I would have never guess that, could you list a few 81"-83" WB SOA cars? Apples to apples. My guess would be 100" or more for SOA.

 

[Old Dog]

.......but wait since you have a shorter wheelbase that means your definitely going to flip it right........ No. If you wheel smart and saftley you will never flip your jeep, yes I do have a full cage on my CJ5 but it's for my peace of mind.

I love my little cj

I think it all depends on what kind of trails you ride. I've seen longer,wider and shorter vehicles on there side driven by very good drivers.

The shorter, narrower and taller you are the easier to turn over, simple physics. Like I said it all depends on where and how you wheel.

 

[tarry99]

My Cj already has a 4" lift and I clear the 33s fone. The reason behind the SOA is it seems to be better in the long run. Most factory cars today have SOA, it is supposed be easier on the car. The SOA lift kit that I'm looking at is 6 1/5 inches. No body lift

Sure there is going to be modifications when switching from a SUA to a SOA. But like any other mod on a jeep that is different from stock there will need to be adjustment. When the SOA is done properly in can be to a great advantage.

And the whole issue on the cj5s wheelbase is a little over exaggerated. The wheelbase on the 5 compared to the 7 is only 10inches. In some ways that gives the 5 more mobility and agility on the trails. I can go some places that my longer wheelbase buddies can't. And when you on a 10ft wide trail it comes in handy

.......but wait since you have a shorter wheelbase that means your definitely going to flip it right........ No. If you wheel smart and saftley you will never flip your jeep, yes I do have a full cage on my CJ5 but it's for my peace of mind.

I love my little cj

Well Gclyne , It seems like you already have it all figured out. Not sure why you even asked for advice here?
6 1/2 " lift on a Spring over using 33" tires I doubt will bring on any new trends!..........

"Seems to be better in the long run" & "It is supposed be easier on the car" not sure where you came up with that but were all ears to listen.

This is a learning forum and all the folks here have given you good solid advice based on your current equipment.......notwithstanding some basic engineering terms on suspension geometry principles and instant center rotation which by the way short wheelbase vehicles have a far more critical breaking point as compared to something longer.........

So next time your on a side hill with your short CJ5 lifted to 6 1/2 inches & sprung over tell us all how comfortable you feel?

 

[Torxhead]

I would say keeping as little lift as necessary helps keep the shiny side up. I like many others run 35s with a sua, and its a lot easier to set up.

 

[Gclyne]

On spring under axle cars the easiest way is to use your springs for lift, correct? I've heard a lot of people say that this changes the feel completely, a lot of them say it stiffens the ride. Now I realize you can find lift springs that are "soft", but I havnt found any yet. Mine are hard as a rock. I like the fact that when you have a SOA you can use stock height springs and get that nice confortable ride that you used to have. Some people use the wrangler springs on there SOA and they say it rides amazing.

Now I know some of you are saying....."he wants a SOA for a softer ride? Why doesn't he just lower it to stock and put some 26's on it"?

I'm all for advice and I appreciate all the advice given to me.

Old Dog I'm almost positive you don't have a SOA

 

[Gclyne]

Torxhead what is your setup? Springs, shackles, ect...

 

[Gclyne]

I think the only car today comparable to my CJ5 is either a VW Bug or a smart car

 

[Old Dog]

Old Dog I'm almost positive you don't have a SOA

No I don't, if I ever move up to 38's I might though. I wheel with a few cj's with SOA, all are 7's, yj's (or longer) and with wider axles, but drive down the road fine. All run 36's or larger.
If you go SOA, usung OME yj springs would probably be best. I would still be welding the perches on and using flat top knuckles and high steer arms to make the steering right if it were mine.

 

[Gclyne]

Yes i agree with welding perches, and my first priorities are to make steering and braking as sound as possible. No reason doing SOA half way.

I'm still considering tho, maybe SOA is a project for later maybe ill just enjoy all this snow for now and try to burn out my tires

 

[IOPort51]

I can say that my skyjackers ride much more comfortably than the OEM did They are pre-stressed 5160 spring steel. I would also recommend you spend some serious time in the rocks if you would like to soften the ride up a little. A week in the San Juan mountains would make a world of difference.

 

[Torxhead]

Torxhead what is your setup? Springs, shackles, ect...

4" spring lift, 1" body lift, 1" shackle lift, fender trimming and no angle shims. With extended bump stops. I am planning on going back to 33s for better driveability and less unsprung weight.

 

[Gclyne]

Torxhead, somewhat similar to mine...4 inch spring lift, 1 inch body lift but can only run 33s without rubbing

 

[Torxhead]

That's probably due to the narrow trac axles. When you put on those 33s you did crank out the front axle wheel stops didn't you?

 

[CJ]

You asked for advice, you received it.
Start a new thread if needed,